Restaurant Review: Poste Brasserie, District Chophouse, & Greek Isles Grill

Here are brief restaurant reviews on recent visits to the following restaurants.

Poste Brasserie:

A couple weeks ago, along with my old dept unit, we took my co-worker E__ out for her birthday to Poste Brasserie. A French type restaurant found in the Hotel Monaco located near the Gallery Place/Chinatown area. The food was fine and very rich.

I ordered a duck meat reuben sandwich with greens/arugula on the side, while the other folks decided on salads and light fare, such as soups. The reuben sandwich was covered with a thick, rich toast. The meat texture was quite different from a regular corned beef reuben, and I sensed a little pesto for flavoring. Very satisfying, too.

I would recommend either their pomme frites or truffle frites. The table shared a side order. Quite good. L______ said the French onion soup was good and thick with melted cheese.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was marked urban contemporary with mustard yellow wall along with decorations, including large mirrors, and snug booth areas. It definitely reminded me of a modern day bistro. The prices are in the moderate range, and the service was quite good, except our waitress was not able to hear us, although it wasn't too loud. We had to repeat everything said to her.

Something about the Hotel Monaco. It is very modern. In fact, it carries a puzzle shaped mirror over the fireplace and hosts dark green glass chandeliers, which remind me of a Dale Chihuly piece.

District Chophouse

On Friday, I got in contact with my ole' college alum chum T__. We planned to go to the Ginger Cove restaurant for lunch, but when we arrived at the designated location, we saw a notice on the doors that it was no longer open. We were looking forward to some Caribbean cuisine, such as conch fritters. Out of all the area restaurants in the Gallery Place area, we ended up going across the street to the District Chophouse for a bite.

I have walked by the place, but I never went in. It has the standard hardy steak fare. The restaurant was quite large. As well as the food portions are pretty huge. The prices were definitely quite reasonable. The waiter/bartender delivered a pan of fresh cornbread. Quite warm for a very cold Friday. I ordered the Pork Chops covered with Fontina cheese, strawberry-cranberry relish on the side, and rice pilaf on the side, while T got a turkey bacon sandwich with mashed potatoes. Very satisfying meal for a cold day.

Greek Isles Grill

Yesterday, a new (informal) life group starting up at church planned to meet up at Greek Taverna in Silver Spring. Unfortunately, at the time of arrival, we found out that the restaurant recently changed hands and renamed as Greek Isles Grill. For months, A__ insisted that we try this particular Greek Taverna restaurant.

Very little did we realize was that it was located at the far end of Silver Spring.

The food was pretty bland. I got the Greek Lamb Stew, along with a Greek salad. T____ had ordered the chicken and rice soup and mentioned it twice to the server before he received the lentil soup! He decided not to mention it to the staff.

L____ arrived late. He had ordered the Chicken & Rice Soup as well, but the same server returned with lentil soup. L reiterated that he wanted the chicken and rice soup. After a long drive to this restaurant, he was going to get what he ordered. Like me, he thought the restaurant was near the Takoma Park area. Little did we know, it was that far. I don't plan to go there AGAIN. The wait staff were rude, and they wanted us moved from the table fairly quickly. For their sake, I hope they get their act/service together. They did not have many customers while we there.

After receiving the cold shoulder from the restaurant staff, we decided to go to a local Starbucks for more conversation.